Railway signal-torpedo.



PATENTED AUG. 8,' 1905.

P. BUTCHER & P. PETER.

RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED D30. 28. 1904.

z LI- n e U m 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK DUTGHER, OF VERSAILLES, AND PHILIFPETER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY SIGNAL-'TCRPE DO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1905.

Application filed December 28, 1904. Serial No. 238,652.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, FRANK BUTCHER, re-

, siding at Versailles, and PHILIP PETER, residproved construction, which will be fully described hereinafter.

Our improved torpedo is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a torpedo embodying our invention, same being shown attached to the railroad-rail in the position in which it is used. Fig. 2 is an inverted perspective view of our improved torpedo. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on a line longitudinal the rail-attaching strap.

Referring now to the drawings. it will be observed from the sectional view Fig.- 3 that our improved torpedo consists of three cupshaped members, the inner one being designated by the reference-numeral 1, which is placed within a similar case 2. These two members, cases, or shells constitute a box or case in which the explosive compound 3 is contained, and these two members are composed of paper, cloth, or other similar fibrous material which will not when the torpedo is exploded fly in a manner to injure any one who should happen near it. The rail-engaging strap 4: is placed across the outer member 2, which constitutes the case holding the explosive compound, and is bent down along opposite edges thereof, as shown. A third cupshaped member or shell 5 incloses the said case or-box and embraces the rail-engaging strap 4. Owing to theflexibility of the several members or shells, they are capable of being inclosed one within the other, and thus yield suflicently to at the same time permit the rail-engaging strap to be embraced within the inclosing member 5. Furthermore, owing to the flexibility of the flange of the cup-shaped inclosing member 5 it yields, as shown, at the points where it engages the rail engaging strap and fits closely and snugly against the adjacent flange of the outer member 2, which constitutes the box for the explosive compound. .Owing to this flexibility and close fitting of the flanges of the members 2 and 5, we are enabled to make a waterproof joint between the flanges of the inclosing member 5 and the case or box and at the sametime avoid any necessity of previous misshaping the inclosing case 5 to permit it to embrace the rail-engaging strap. This inclosing member 5 performs the double function of adding additional s'trength and explosive resistance to the boxcontaining the explosive compound and of retaining the rail-engaging strap. This inclosing member 5 being flexible in its nature yields in the manner heretofore explained, and the parts can be quickly and cheaply assembled without any previous shaping or preparation, which would be necessary in a metal inclosing member in order to have its flange form a snug circumferential lit with the edge of the explosive-compound case.

Owing to the fact that the inclosing member 5 is made of soft fibrous material such as hereinhefore mentioned, it is desirable to strengthen the edge of the three parts thus assembled and to prevent the spreading out- 4 ward of the flange of the outer member 5 under the conditions in which these torpedoes are used, which subjects them to moisture frequently in the way of rain, snow, dew, &c. The position of the torpedo on the track when being exploded is such that the wheel of the passing train is above the torpedo and the rail below it, making it essential and highly desirable that there should be an additional edge or lateral explosive resistance provided for the torpedo. We provide this lateral strengthening, resisting, and flange-holding effect by means of a ring or band 6, which is placed around the edge of the torpedo, as shown. This ring or band is preferably formed of paper, cloth, or similar soft fibrous material, whereby the band as well as the rest of the torpedo will not causeinjury when the torpedo is exploded and adds further to the safety and harmlessness thereof. However, we desire to be understood that the ring or band may be composed of other material, and, indeed, of metal, without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention, though it will be also understood that in the case the band is made of metal to that extent the absolute harmlessness of the torpedo is removed. However, in order to make our torpedo perfectly harmless this band is preferably composed of fibrous material, as before stated, and to add to its effectiveness it is preferably made considerably thicker than the thickness of the shell members 1, 2, and 5, and for the same reason it is preferably made of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the torpedo. W'e desire also to be understood that the feature of having the inclosing member 5 composed of a material which is flexible, whereby its flange may yield in the manner previously herein stated is capable-0f use in-connection with a metal detonating-casethat is to say, so far as the flexible inclosing member-5 and the inclosing or surrounding ring 6 are concerned they will perform their advantageous results of attaching the rail-engaging strap to the torpedo-case should the two shells 1 and 2, which contain the explosive compound, be composed of metal or other hard material. 7

It is understood that the torpedo when completed is subjected to a coating of suitable waterproofing compound, and preferably the shells are so treated previous to placing the' explosive compound therein and being assembled.

' We do not make any claim herein for the strengthening and holding band independently of the flanged inclosing case or member; nor do we make herein any claim for the band holding the rail-engaging member to the torpedo, as both of these features independent of'the said flanged inclosing case ormemher are made the subject-matter of a copending application, Serial No. 238,651; nor do wemake herein any claim for the flanged meniber holding the rail-engaging device to the torpedo independent of the passage of the railengaging device down the edges of the torpedo, as this is made the subject-matter of a copending application, Serial No. 238,653.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. 7 An improved railway signaltorpedo comprising an explosive-compound case,a railengaging member passed across the case and down its edges, a flanged member inclosingcase, a fibrous flanged inclosing member, a rail-' engaging strap between the said case and the inclosing member, and embraced by the latter, and a fibrous ring surrounding the flange of the inclosing member.

4. An improved railway signal torpedo comprising fibrous flanged shells telescoped in inverted positions, detonating material between them, a flanged fibrous member inclosing the detonating-case and placed in an inverse position to the outer member thereof, and a fibrous ring surrounding, holding and strengthening the edge or flange of the inclosing member.

5. An improved railway signal-torpedo comprising a detonating-case, a fibrous, flexible flanged inclosing member, a rail-engaging strap embraced between the case and inclosof the inclosing case and made of a Width substantially equal to the width of the flange of the inclosing member.

6. An improved railway signal torpedo comprising a detonating case, a flanged, fibrous, flexible member inclosing the said case, a rail-engaging strap embraced between the detonating-case and the flanged inclosing member, and a fibrous band surrounding the flange of the inclosing member, the said band being of a width substantially equal to the width of the flange of the inclosing member, and of a thickness greater than the thickness of the said flanged inclosing member.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK DUTGHER. PHILIP PETER. Witnesses:

W. D. MANSFIELD, CoRA LENHART.

lng member, and a band surrounding the edge 

